Speech #480118959

I have read criminalstatutes. I have drafted some. it has been my fortune. as a public officer. to enforce them against criminals to some extent. and I am utterly at a loss to comprehend how anybody can expect sensible legislators to enact any portion of this bill unless they retain the fourth section or something tantamount to it. The Senator from Delaware in his criticism seems to treat the bill as though it was directed against immigration. such immigration as has been known from thefoundation of the Government- ashas been known through the historyof all nationsfree. natural. ordinary immigration. that sort of transition of individuals from one country or continent to another which takes place under the ordinary conditions and rules of existence. But this bill is directed against what is really a crime against the people of this country. against the laboring forces of this country. It is designed to prevent the combination of capital for the purpose of introducing into the American civilization. in direct collision and competition with the ordinary American producer. a foreigner who can not naturally get here. who is brought here by a combination of capital for the express and sole purpose of reducing the natural and ordinary compensation which the American laborer is to receive forhis toil.